Closed Eyes Art: Story of a Young Aspiring Female Artist from Corozal, Belize
© Jacqueline Ewens, Closed Eyes Art
Closed Eyes Art is an artistic business created and owned by Jacqueline Ewens. She promotes art in a very unique and captivating way. Expressing emotion, each painting reveals a hidden story and a message with cultural ties. Located in Ranchito Village, in the beautiful district of Corozal, we decided to ask Jacqueline a little more about her creative talent and style.
“For me, I was always decorating my notebooks. I would always be drawing something or be actively engaging myself artistically. From then on, my teachers and classmates would see me drawing ﹘ back when I was in primary school ﹘ this is where my artistic journey began. They became my loving and supportive audience and clients(if you will.) My classmates would give me their books for me to design something on it; my teachers would come up to me asking for me to create designs for their projects, books, or posters for their classroom… I then moved on to become a customization service, where I would customize whatever people would request.”
From large 1 meter-long paintings to small notebooks, Jacqueline Ewens has made it her mark to become an artist. She expresses her fondness and admiration through color tubes and paintbrushes. She brings to life captivating images projected from deep within her emotions, letting out a burst of eye candy that no one can deny.
Being a female artist, she has impacted Belize and Belizean culture with her methods of painting. From a very young age, Jacqueline Ewens has dabbled with color patterns and canvases, creating breathtaking images and portraits.
© Jacqueline Ewens, Closed Eyes Art
Starting an Art Business
"Back in 2013, I remember that being the year. I started putting more emphasis on my business." Starting a career in Arts and Culture is challenging everywhere. Jacqueline's journey at the beginning has focused on making a name for herself. Some of the products she started offering were greeting cards, designing notebooks, and other services in her old school. Certainly, she had tons of practice with her long list of orders.
As she continued on her quest in the arts industry, she found multiple doors opening with unique possibilities.
“I remember specifically that my mom and I enrolled in the YWCA down in Belmopan City. And yes, I enrolled specifically in the arts program just to see where this would take me. I’m really glad that I did so. While at the YWCA, they would have fairs where we were expected to present products based on the trading products.”
Capturing Belize and its People
“When it comes to my envisionment, I cover all cultures, races, and skin. All races matter in Belize, and that is what I sincerely believe. I get the opportunity to capture any cultural, emotional, or historical moment and place it into a frame; a frame that enlightens, not only my roots but all those living in this beautiful country.”
As a born and raised Belizean artist, Jacqueline is focusing on the many wonders that make us one nation. What is it that makes us a Belizean? What do we all have in common that makes us united as one people? Capturing this envisionment, answering these questions, bringing to life our heritage and culture on a canvas.
“When I look at murals and canvases, I see the growth of a powerful artist despite many obstacles. I’ve been able to accomplish my dream of getting two messages out there. First, I express the many cultural jewels and heritage through paint, capturing faces, smiles, and skin tones, leaving an impression on each person. Second, I appeal to emotion. I place a portion of myself into each piece, so someone can appreciate it. I try to convey emotion so that my audience can also synchronize emotionally along with me. Capturing moments has never been a dull moment for me.”
As an artist, she is always bringing out the best in each person as they gaze upon her beautiful artwork.
© Jacqueline Ewens, Closed Eyes Art
Support is Essential
Having the necessary support can boost the confidence of young artists in pursuing a career in the Arts. While still in school, Jacqueline's art teacher, Kirk Landsmith, helped in polishing her skills.
“He was my art teacher before I even considered doing art as a real job. Aside from my art teacher, I have to also give credit to my family. Mum and Dad have been my number one fan since day one. My sister has always supported me as well.”
What are all the services you provide?
Jacqueline offers a variety of services. "There are several services that I offer. I work on handmade stationery, paintings, drawings, illustrations & customization, product logo design for businesses, classroom posters & murals. Overall, I do orders, so anyone who would like for me to work on a project for them can go ahead and place an order."
© Jacqueline Ewens, Closed Eyes Art
Opening a Gallery to Inspire
Going back to nostalgia, going back to the admiration, "it is about the Belizean culture, and everything that comes along with it," Jacqueline says.
“I am working on opening a gallery for my work to be displayed, but that will be soon. I try to make my work attractive, this way, any business or passersby can be captivated by what they see. And let’s be honest, if you had a business, wouldn’t you want your posters to look nice? Having an attractive poster looks professional and gives the impression that it is a dedicated business”
Jacqueline wants every one of us to say that we have found something that catches our eye. She wants to inspire us. As you walk into a gallery, the first emotion is admiration. Art is a way for each person to discover something new within them – whether it be a painting, a sculpture, or a handmade bracelet. Expressing the culture and individual values behind each art piece is what Closed Eyes Art is about.
“When I’m working on the aesthetics of a poster, or painting, its real intention is to open eyes ﹘ color does help out ﹘ and to captivate the viewer. The best experience that I can offer my audience is that of visual experience. Having a painting in your house, making your space look more colorful, bringing nostalgia every time you look at that painting. That, that is exactly what I promote at Closed Eyes Art.”
© Jacqueline Ewens, Closed Eyes Art
Contact:
Follow Jacqueline on Instagram @closedeyes.art or Facebook. For orders, email to jewens2600@gmail.com
Written by Romani Sanchez